Jonathan Ferrell, 24, ran toward Officer Randall Kerrick and two other officers early Saturday when he was shot.

About a half-hour earlier, Ferrell had climbed out of the back of his black Toyota Camry after crashing into an embankment at 2 a.m. Ferrell then banged on the door at a nearby house in the 7500 block of Reedy Creek Road.

Officers Kerrick, Thomas Little, and Adam Neal responded to the home after residents called 911. As the officers exited their car, Ferrell ran toward them. Officer Little fired his TASER, which was ineffective. Officer Kerrick then fired several rounds, striking Ferrell multiple times. He died at the scene, reports the Charlotte Observer.

The Charlotte chapter of the NAACP told The Observer it will investigate whether officers need better training regarding use of deadly force.

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Comments (15)

Displaying 1 - 15 of 15

EODK9Trainer @ 9/16/2013 4:06 PM

Not enough info here to form an opinion that means anything.

LLC @ 9/16/2013 6:26 PM

When I was a police officer (I'm now retired), I didn't wake up every morning looking to engage in deadly force (although in the back of my mind I knew it could happen). However, if I was confronted with some maniac running towards me, larger and/or more physically fit than me and in such an aggressive manner and secondary weapons (like tasers) didn't work or I had no time to deploy them, I can see myself shooting the sob. Of course this is not the first time such an incident had occurred (scan youtube, or the like). I wonder if the prosecutor in this case decided to charge the officer based purely on the number of shots he fired.

Shaun @ 9/16/2013 10:12 PM

Idk what happened but you really can't judge police officer's sometimes have to make split decisions. some people say they hate police but the same people need to realize the police are the first we all call when we feel we are in danger

mike @ 9/17/2013 5:09 AM

Knee-jerk reaction by the Chief to book this officer. I can imagine what impact this thoughtless action has on the police department's morale. Let's wait to get the toxicology results on this "victim" before there is a rush to judgement on the officers. Who, in their right mind, runs toward officers "for help," right after he crashes his car (drunk? high?) and then pounds on the door of a total stranger at two in the morning?

James @ 9/17/2013 5:20 AM

I'd love some actual information instead of a simple press release.

Doug M @ 9/17/2013 5:50 AM

None of this makes sense. The department's own statement does not even come close to justifying the arrest, and certainly there has been a rush to judgment here. It will be interesting to see how this plays out, but I suspect that this officer will be cleared and end up owning the city."mike" obviously does not know what he does not know - the decedent was not treated as a "subject" (really? been a crankpot long?), but as a SUSPECT. He acted in a manner that caused a person to call the police in fear. If you could get to my door to pound on it at 0200, I sure as hell would not answer it - I would just call the police. When the cops get there, if he acts like as was described, I would expect enforcement action. The decedent did not act like a person needing help. I've called LE for help before, and I sure as hell did not act this way.It will be interesting to see if a prosecutor is fool enough to file the formal charge by whatever process there is in NC.

FLCOP @ 9/17/2013 6:41 AM

It's always a sad and sorry day when someone loses their life! I always tell anyone who asks police REACT based on actions (AT THAT TIME). THere is much case law on this subject and I'm certian case law will prevail. It is always easy to monday morning QB actions. I will guess but I think the COP will be cleared, the individuals who decided to arrest so quickly will be sued. Then the cop and the victim will sue the city ... i would bet the city will settle out of court. BUT IT S A SAD DAY ALL THE WAY AROUND. I hate to see stuff like this.

Getum @ 9/17/2013 6:54 AM

What I see is "White Officer" kills Black man and NCAAP involved. I see the MAACP pulling the very useful "Race Card" immediatley! Appears to be a wrongful booking.....

JM @ 9/17/2013 7:34 AM

I remember the days that when the cops showed up and told you to "freeze", you did, because you dont want to get shot...... So at some point people are once again going to have to be accountable for their own death when placing a cop, or ANYONE, in fear of their safety.

LARRY @ 9/17/2013 8:23 AM

Is something missing from the reports? Banging on a door at 2 AM?, running toward (charging) the police?, ineffective Taser? Something wrong with this picture! Was he told to stop or get down? Not the actions of a reasonable, rational person?Like to see his blood tox. report. When it happened to me, the perp. said "I'm going to take that gun and stick it up your ass", needless to say he wasn't allowed the opportunity.Seems that police dispatchers might do a better job screening calls by perpetrator's race and send only officers of the same race. Might save lots of knee jerks later!

Pup @ 9/17/2013 9:39 AM

It would be nice to read most of the facts before making judgment. As for the NCCAP, why do they make it a racial incident? They are so quick to judge a white man when a black is killed. Where are they when blacks kill the whites? SILIENCE!!! Society as a whole will never get rid of racism. The NAACP needs to look in the mirror and ask themselves how many of them are racist? Practice what you preach.....

Capt. Crunch @ 9/17/2013 1:12 PM

Looks like to me suspect Ferrell, was druged up. The officers should receive a commendation for doing society a favor. As far as the NAACP goes I say screw them, let them investigate their brother Aaron Alexis, on the Washington DC Navy Yard.

rangeofficer69 @ 9/18/2013 6:16 AM

I thought this website was for LEOs.. apparently I was wrong. It's obvious that this website is a soapbox for libtards to spew their opinions. I mean, who is the jackass (Mike) that refers to a policeman as a "POS in uniform"? Obviously not a cop, just a sissy who hides behind his computer and has the gall to infer that this police officer is not an asset to his family or his community! Hey Mike, EAD! I am done with "Police" community for cops my ass!

Editor @ 9/18/2013 6:55 AM

rangeofficer69: Thank you for your comment. You pointed out a hateful comment, and it has been deleted. We try to scan the comments and find such problems. But there are hundreds of comments per day, so we rely on the readers like you to help us spot problem comments. This is a Website for LEOs. Thank you for reading. David

Rick @ 1/25/2014 6:33 PM

Not enough info, but booking the officer. Smells like a witch hunt to me.

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